Method and system for accomplishing product detection

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a vending system wherein a monitoring system verifies that a product ordered by a vending customer is actually delivered through a delivery area to the customer. If the product ordered is unavailable either because of an out of stock situation or a blockage of the delivery path for that product, the present invention allows the customer to request a refund or order a second product. Additionally, the present invention helps to prevent theft of product from the vending system.

This application is based on Provisional Application No. 60/271,998,filed Feb. 27, 2001. This application includes subject matter protectedby copyright.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to the vending arts generally and morespecifically to vending machine delivery systems for determining whethera product has actually been delivered to the consumer after a customerorder.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Currently, vending machines lack the ability to detect and confirmwhether an ordered product has been actually delivered to a customerafter an ordered vend event by the customer has occurred. Presentmethods, referred herein as the home switch method, always assume thatthe ordered product is available for delivery and that the product issuccessfully delivered upon completing one vend cycle.

However, vending machines often fail to deliver the product after thevend cycle for various reasons, including improper installation of theproducts by the vendor's sales representative or obstructions in thedelivery path. Thus, presently, after paying for the product and a vendcycle occurring, the customer fails to receive the ordered product,resulting in the customer becoming frustrated with the vending company,affecting customer relations and vending sales.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vending system that verifies the delivery of a ordered product using aproduct delivery system that sends a product from a first storageposition through a delivery path to a second receiving position, asensing system located along the delivery path that senses when theproduct passes a sensor during the product transition through thedelivery path from the first position to the second position, and areporting circuitry electronically coupled to the sensing circuitrywherein the reporting circuitry reports to the product delivery systemwhen the product has passed through the sensing system.

Additionally, a vending machine method is provided for determiningwhether a product is delivered, the method comprising the steps ofsending a delivery signal based on a customer ordering event to aproduct delivery system, monitoring a delivery path that the producttravels to reach a product receiving location, and determining if theproduct was delivered to the receiving space.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects andfeatures of the present invention. These objects should be construed tobe merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features andapplications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can beattained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner ormodifying the invention as will be described. Accordingly, other objectsand a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring tothe following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overview of the methodology utilized in the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the present invention;

FIG. 3A shows the emitter arm portion of the monitoring system;

FIG. 3B shows the detector arm portion of the monitoring system;

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the monitoring system when a customerplaces an order;

FIG. 5 shows the steady state calibration mode of the monitoring system;

FIG. 6 shows a typical detector arm attached to a vending machine; and

FIG. 7 shows light beam patterns for the emitters in the monitoringsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a vending system that verifies that an actualdelivery of an ordered product is made. If the actual delivery fails fora set number of delivery attempts, then the customer is offered one ormore alternative choices, including without limitation, choosing analternative product, or a refund.

FIG. 1 is an overview of the methodology utilized in the presentinvention. The monitoring system is in calibration mode in its normalsteady state configuration mode as shown in step 100. Calibration modeis discussed in greater detail in FIG. 5 below. The customer orders aproduct after placing money in the ordering system by depressing akeypad or similar device in step 102. The vending machine's orderingsystem sends a customer order event signal in step 103 to the monitoringsystem informing the sensing/monitoring system that an order event hasoccurred in step 102. The monitoring system subsequently completes itslast calibration cycle in step 104 and transitions from steady statecalibration mode to the monitoring cycle in step 106. Upontransitioning, the monitoring system commences its sensing/monitoringcycle by monitoring the product delivery path and sends a ready signalto the product delivery system in step 110. The monitoring cycle isdescribed in more detail in FIG. 4, herein below. After receiving aready signal from the monitoring system, the product delivery systemattempts to deliver a product through the product delivery path in step120. If the monitoring system senses or detects the product passingthrough the delivery path in step 125, it reports the delivery event tothe ordering system in step 130. Upon receiving the report, the orderingsystem concludes the transaction with the customer and sends acompletion signal to the monitoring system, which returns to steadystate calibration mode in step 135, whereupon the monitoring systementers into calibration mode in step 140.

If the monitoring system does not detect a product in the first deliveryattempt in step 125 then it will not send a signal to the orderingsystem after the step 125. The invention allows the delivery system toattempt delivery three times or a preset option. In step 150, if thenumber of attempted delivery cycles is less than the preset option, thenthe ordering system thereupon attempts to deliver the product again instep 120. If the attempted delivery cycles equal the preset option, thenin step 155 the customer is granted alternatives to purchasing the firstordered product. Step 155 allows the customer to either ask for a refundor make a selection of a second, different product for delivery and step153 marks the first ordered product as empty.

Step 153 prevents future vend attempts for the first ordered productuntil the vending machine is visited by a service person. This helps toprevent cheating by a customer if the vending machine reverts to thehome switch operation, and helps to prevent further tampering iftampering was the cause of the first vend failure.

If the customer chooses a refund, then the present invention delivers asignal to make a refund, in step 160, whereupon a signal is sent to themonitoring system that the order is complete in step 135 and to themonitoring system to enters into steady state calibration mode in step140. If the customer choose a second, different product, then thepresent invention returns to 120 and the process proceeds as describedabove, until the operation is complete.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the present invention installed in avending machine 205. In FIG. 2 various products 210 are placed in thevending machine's delivery system 215. Prior to a customer making apurchase, the monitoring system 217 is in calibration mode. When acustomer makes an order through the order system 220, the monitoringsystem completes the calibration mode and enters into its monitoringmode. Thereupon, the ordering system allows for an attempted delivery ofthe ordered product 210, typically through a helical delivery system215. When ordered, product 270 is delivered into delivery space 222,falling through the delivery path 225 past monitoring system 217. As itpasses the monitoring system, the product momentarily breaks thecontinuity of the monitoring system's monitoring devices. If themonitoring system utilizes an optical monitoring system, then as theproduct passes through the monitoring system's light plane 234, be itinfrared or otherwise, it momentarily breaks the light continuity andprevents a portion of the light from reaching at least one detector onthe opposite side of the monitoring path. The logic circuit on thedetecting arm 235 will note the momentary blockage of light and reportit as a delivery event.

The monitoring system is comprised of an emitter arm 240 upon which arelocated a set number of one or more emitters 242, and a detector arm 250comprising of one or more detectors 252 and located directly acrossdelivery path 225 from the emitter arm 240. Emitter signals, the totalof which comprise light plane 234 are sent from the emitters 242 to thedetectors 252 across the delivery path 225, during both monitoring modeand calibration mode. The emitter arms and detector arms are describedin more detail in FIGS. 3A, and 3B.

FIG. 3A shows the emitter arm portion of the monitoring system. In FIG.3A, emitting arm 310A transverses along one side of the delivery path inthe vending machine. Emitters, 315A, are attached to arm 310A. Thehorizontal and vertical placement of emitters 315A on arm 310A isdetermined by the size of the smallest product that crosses the deliverypath, and by the type and accuracy of the emitters utilized in thepresent invention.

The emitters may comprise of an optical monitoring device. The spacingof optical emitters is determined by five factors: emitter size, opticaldiffusion, ambient light, product size and the reflected light. Emittersize and optical diffusion is fixed at the time of construction,however, ambient and reflective light may vary over the course of use ofthe emitter. Infrared light may be used to help to reduce these effects,however, it is clearly understood and contemplated by the presentinvention that other types of light sources can be used, includingvarious lasers or white light sources.

The body 320A of the arm 310A is made of suitable material able tocontain the electronic control components 325A necessary to operate theemitter, including, a power source 330A, and logic circuitry 335A.Additionally, holes 340A are provided to securely fasten and adjust thepositioning of the arm 310A to the vending machine.

FIG. 3B shows the detector arm portion of the monitoring system. Theshape and construction of the detecting arm 350B is related to the shapeand construction of the emitting arm 310A. The detecting arm 350B isplaced on the same plane, parallel to and across the delivery path fromarm 310A (see FIG. 2 for more details). The detectors 355B are arrangedso that their vertical spacing and horizontal arrangement mirror theemitter's arrangement on arm 310A. Likewise, the body 360B of 350B isconstructed of material suitable to contain detection and logiccircuitry 365B, attachment holes 370B, and a power source 375B. Thechoice of the type of detector is directly related to the type ofemitter being utilized in the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the monitoring system when a customerplaces an order. Prior to placing an order, the monitoring system is incalibration mode in step 400. Upon placement of the order in step 405,the monitoring system transitions from its steady state calibration mode400 into its monitoring mode in step 407. Once in monitoring mode, themonitoring system begins cycling each emitter by pulsing the emitterindividually in step 410. The monitoring system uses a pulse strengthdetermined from when the system was in the calibration mode.

In step 410 an emitter pulses its signal to the corresponding detectoracross from the emitter, and the two detectors on either side of thedetector. Upon pulsing the light, the detector circuitry determineswhether the detectors detected the light from the emitter in step 415.(If the emitter is either the first emitter or the last emitter on theemitter arm, then only the detector across from the emitter and thedetector on the non-wall side of the detector is scanned).

If the detector directly across from the pulsing emitter or the sidedetectors detects the signal in 415, then the emitter's logic circuitsequences to the next emitter in line and sends a pulse from thatemitter in step 420. The emitter's logic circuit continues until afterit completes the pulsing of the last detector whereupon, the monitoringsystem repeats the process, begins again at the first emitter until thedetector's logic circuit receives a detect signal and the monitoringsystem receives a signal to cease monitoring.

If at least one of the three detectors fails to detect a light beam fromthe emitter during the monitoring cycle, then the logic circuit reportsa product delivery to the ordering system in step 425. Once a report ofdelivery is made to the ordering system, the ordering system returns asignal to the monitoring system to return to steady state calibrationmode in step 430. Otherwise, the monitoring system continues to monitoruntil it receives a return to steady state calibration signal from theordering system because of a refund, if appropriate.

FIG. 5 shows the steady state calibration mode of the monitoring system.During the steady state calibration mode, the monitoring system isconstantly calibrating itself for optimum performance becausetemperature, humidity, dust, and alignment conditions fluctuate over thecourse of system usage.

The calibration mode adjusts the light intensity from each emitter asnecessary so that each set of three detectors serviced by that emitterreceives only enough intensity, plus a small safety margin, to be activein the unblocked condition. This minimizes the adverse affects ofreflected light from the emitters and allows for a wider detectoraperture (which makes system alignment easier) and reduces the overallpower requirements of the system. In step 505, the logic circuit in themonitoring system determines whether an order has been placed. If anorder has not been placed, then the monitoring system proceeds to send aseries of pulses to the first of the one or more emitters in step 510.Upon sending a pulse, the monitoring system queries the emitter'scorresponding detector and each detector on either side of thecorresponding detector to determine if those detectors detected thepulsed signal in step 515. If a signal was detected in each of the threedetectors then the monitoring circuitry sequences to the next emitter instep 520. The emitter's typically have adjustable signal power levelsassociated with the type of emitter used. The calibration mode willattempt to maintain the power level at the level needed to provide justenough signal, plus a safety margin, such that the correspondingdetectors detect the signal. If any one of the three detectors does notdetect the pulsed signal from the emitter, then in step 530, themonitoring circuitry determines whether the emitter is operating at itsmaximum power intensity. If the emitter is not, then the emitter willstep increase the signal power level in step 560 and re-send a pulsedsignal to the detectors again in step 510. If the power intensity forthat emitter is at its maximum intensity, then the detector will send anerror message to the monitoring system in step 540. The monitoringsystem will then follow a pre-coded routine to shut down the entirevending operation, shut down the monitoring system or rely on prior artordering systems (the home switch method) in step 550.

FIG. 6 shows a typical detector arm attached to a vending machine.Because of the reflective surfaces 610 in the vending machine, smallapertures 620 are used to minimize the reflective light from adjacentlyreflective surfaces 610. The apertures are narrowed holes located infront of the detectors, 625, on the detector side of sensing system 630.The holes inhibit unwanted reflections from adjacent surfaces byblocking much of the light beams that reflect back to the detector armat wider angles than the apertures allow.

Apertures 620 keep the majority of the unwanted light from reaching thedetection side of the monitoring system. In addition, the detectors 630have a usable 60-degree horizontal/30 degree vertical reception angle.Light arriving at the detector at angles greater than these is rejected.Additionally, infrared optical detectors contain optical frequencyfilters, which reject visible light frequencies, but pass the infraredfrequencies of interest. Modulation techniques, whereby the detectoronly responds to certain signal frequencies from the infrared emittersmay also be used to allow the detectors to distinguish between theambient light and the desired point source light frequency from theemitter.

As mentioned above, product detection may be accomplished by utilizinginfrared emitter/detector pairs that can monitor and detect when asignal path is broken. In typical a vending machine's delivery paths, aset of ten infrared emitter/detector pairs are used to cover thedelivery path much like a light curtain.

FIG. 7 shows a representative example of a light curtain 730 that may beutilized in the present invention. Typically, nine sets ofemitters/detectors are used to cover the main delivery path, while thetenth set is used to cover a gum/mint area. The nine sets that cover themain delivery path implement a technique, which, other than for thefirst and last emitter, requires that, a minimum of three detectors areactive for each individual emitter monitor cycle. For those vendingmachines without a gum or mint section, the tenth emitter may be usedfor the main delivery area, provided that proper alignment of the tensets is taken into consideration.

This arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 7, which shows the light beams710 of interest for each emitter 720 and detector 725. The spacing ofthe emitter/detector sets are chosen to assure that the smallest sizetraditional product breaks the path of at least one beam when it crossesthe light curtain during delivery. The technique of servicing threedetectors for each emitter, allows the monitor to read multiple lightbeams, which further reduces this spacing in the majority of thedelivery area. A logic circuit determines whether a light beam has beenbroken.

In the monitoring system, the infrared emitter/detector sets arecontrolled by a micro-controller located on the detector arm. During themonitoring mode, it is necessary to monitor each of the emitter/detectorsets separately because of the potential for light bleed-over fromadjacent emitters. The timing sequence for each set monitor cycle usedduring the monitoring mode must be fast enough to ensure that thesmallest product will be detected by any one of the detectors when theproduct passes the monitor plane as it falls from the product storagearea.

The control software further provides the vending operator an option torevert to home switch operation or to place the vending machine out ofservice in the event the monitoring system is inoperative. This allowsthe operator to choose one of two options if the monitoring system isoperative: 1. to go out-of-service and thus assure that the customer ischeated since the monitoring system cannot determine proper delivery ofa ordered product by home switch operation; or 2. to continue makingselections available to the customer under the traditional home switchoperation with the risks of non-proper delivery of product thatoperation implies.

The monitoring system controller printed circuit board uses flash memoryto store the firmware. This gives the option to perform firmware updatesin the field.

The vending system has several operating options. These may be viewedand programmed by pressing the PRODUCT CONFIG service key on the keypadlocated on the inside of the vending machine and pressing the down arrowuntil the appropriate option is reached. The keypad has an associateddisplay device, such as an led screen or such other typical devices thatallow the operator to view the code and results stored within thesystem.

By depressing the EDIT key, the vendor can choose between “SURE.V ON” or“SURE.V OFF”. “SURE.V OFF” is chosen by the operator only if themonitoring system is not installed or if the operator does not wish itto use it at the present time. The remaining options for the PRODUCTCONFIG mode are only visible if “SURE.V ON” is selected and themonitoring system is available.

When “SURE.V ON” is selected, the operator may then choose between“OPT'N SURE.V” or “MUST SURE.V”. If “OPT'N SURE.V” is selected, thevending machine operation reverts to home switch operation if themonitoring system is not operating normally because, for example, of anobstruction or loss of communication. If “MUST SURE.V” is selected bythe operator, the vending machine operates only if the monitoring systemis available for use for the main delivery area. (The gum and mint areadoes not affect operation of the main area, unless the programmerdecides otherwise.) Otherwise, the vending machine becomes temporarilyout-of-service until the blockage or other error is corrected.

When the operator uses the number keys to program “ANTI.JP xx”, theanti-jackpot protection option against unforeseeable cheating of thevending machine's monitoring system is activated. “xx” represents thenumber of empty conditions that disables the entire delivery system fora time period as programmed and decided by the operator (describedbelow). A empty condition occurs when product delivery is not detectedand the customer's money is restored or returned. An “xx” value of “00”disables this anti-jackpot feature.

The assumption of this option is that very few system failures to thevending machine's delivery system occurs. If a significant number offailures, represented by “xx”, do occur then it is assumed that it isbecause of tampering. Upon reading “xx”, the delivery system isdeactivated for a certain amount of time so that money can no longer berefunded because of a vend failure and to discourage a potential thieffrom attempting to steal either product or money.

In this condition, the vending machine either reverts to home switchoperation if “OPT'N SURE.V” is active, or the system deactivates and thevending machine goes out of service if “MUST. SURE.V” is active. If in“Must Sure.V”, once the programmed deactivation time has elapsed thesystem is re-enabled and the count towards “xx” is restarted. The totalnumber of system empty selections, the number of anti-jackpotoccurrences, and the date and time of the last occurrence are recordedas noted below.

The operator programs the number of minutes that the vending systemremains disabled because of an anti-jackpot occurrence by selecting the“AJP.TMR xxM” option where “xx” is the time in minutes. If “99” isprogrammed, then the system remains disabled until the main door closesat the end of the next service call. Closing the main door also resetsany anti-jackpot time remaining.

Certain system data can be reviewed in the PRODUCT CONFIG mode:

“SV.EMPTY xx” returns the number of times that credit was restored orreturned because the monitoring system failed to detect a productdelivery.

“**.SV xxxx” returns the total number of corrected vends, viewable byselection. These are the vends, which normally would not have deliveredproduct if the present invention was not active.

-   -   “WO.SV xxxx” returns the number of vends, viewable by selection,        made while the monitoring system was disabled for some reason.

The MACHINE CONFIG list provides additional options related to thepresent invention. If the operator selects “FAIL=CASH”, the customer'smoney is automatically returned on any failed vend. If “FAIL=CRDT” isselected, the credit is restored to the vending machine for anotherselection. The customer may press the coin return to retrieve his money.

The TEST list provides the test screen for the system. If the operatorkeys in “SV.TST xxx”, the following options are provided:

“SV.TST OK” indicates that the monitoring system is operating properly.

“SV.TST xx” indicates a block in sensing zone 1-9 with 1 being closestto the glass. “H” indicates the gum & mint is blocked if it isconfigured. This number is displayed real-time and beeps as it changes.This may be used to test the product coverage of the monitoring system'ssensors, although the accuracy is somewhat less than in actual vendsituations because of the data being presented.

“SV.TST CAL” indicates calibration values that are high.

“EDIT” may be used to view the calibration values. A high calibrationmay be caused by dirt, misalignment of the system sensors, or a partialblockage of a sensor.

A calibration value of “0” indicates a shorted detector. This normallyrequires a new detector assembly.

A calibration value of “1” indicates that zone could not be calibrated.It indicates a blocked or damaged sensor.

Calibration values above “A” are abnormal and may require adjustment ofthe alignment or cleaning of the sensors.

“SV.TST COMM” indicates loss of communication with the monitoringsystem, and allows the operation to check, the harness connectionsbetween the vending machine controller and the monitoring system'scontroller.

Diagnostics related to the present invention:

“SV.EMPTY nn” shows that selection “nn” was marked as empty becauseproduct delivery was not detected.

“SV.TST xx” automatically enters the system test screen as a diagnosticmessage if any blocked sensor, communication error, or calibration erroris detected.

“AJP.TMR xx.xM” is in the diagnostic list if the anti-jackpot timer isactive. It shows the time remaining.

“AJP xxX MN/DY HR.MN” is the total number of times the anti-jackpotfeature occurred plus the date and time of the last occurrence.

1-33. (canceled)
 34. A vending system comprising: an optical monitoringsystem to determine if a product associated with the customer orderingevent was delivered to a receiving location, wherein the opticalmonitoring system comprises a plurality of light emitters and acorresponding plurality of light detectors by (a) separately activatingat least one but fewer than all of the light emitters and (b) for eachof the light emitters when that light emitter is activated, monitoringat least two of the light detectors.